Migraine is a chronic condition that can feel like an intense headache with pulsating pain on one side of the head. It can lead to several symptoms, such as dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
Around 40 million people in the United States have migraine. Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of a migraine episode, thought to be experienced by around 60% of people with migraine.
Migraine is a common neurological condition that tends to affect women more than men. The exact cause of migraine isn’t known, but it can be triggered by several things, such as:
- certain foods
- hormonal changes
- stress levels
How does throwing up relieve migraine?
The exact link between vomiting and migraine relief remains unknown, but it is thought to be caused by vagus nerve stimulation.
Although vomiting is one of the symptoms of migraine, throwing up may help relieve symptoms too. An older 2013 study suggests this may be because throwing up can release endorphins that help lower pain. Vomiting may also reduce inflammation and pain because it diverts blood flow.
It is also possible that throwing up may just happen to occur at the end of a migraine episode when symptoms start to subside.
It is not recommended that you induce vomiting to alleviate migraine symptoms.
Should I be worried if I throw up?
Vomiting is one of the symptoms of a migraine, and it tends to happen during the severe stage of a migraine. This phase is known as the headache stage and can last between 4 and 72 hours. The headache stage is in the penultimate phase of a migraine, which means the migraine episode is ending.
Throwing up is a common symptom of migraine that can also relieve symptoms. However, if you vomit frequently, consider speaking to a healthcare professional, as it can increase your risk of dehydration.
Common symptoms of a migraine episode during the headache phase include:
- throbbing headache
- nausea and vomiting
- anxiety
- nasal congestion
- sensitivity to light
- stiffness and pain in the neck
Migraine episodes that last longer than 72 hours without a pain-free period are known as status migrainosus. If your symptoms exceed 3 days, seek medical help, as this condition usually requires a different treatment than a typical migraine attack.
Medication options
You can find relief and even prevent a migraine through medications such as:
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers
OTC drugs can reduce some migraine symptoms, such as pain and inflammation.
This includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as:
- acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- aspirin (Zorpri)
- ibuprofen (Caldolor)
- naproxen (Naprosyn)
Prescription medication
If OTC options don’t work, your healthcare professional may prescribe you medications, such as:
- Triptans are a first-line migraine treatment that can help shrink blood vessels and reduce pain. Examples include:
- eletriptan (Relpax)
- rizatriptan (Maxalt)
- sumatriptan (Imitrex)
- Antiemetics are a type of dopamine receptor antagonist that can reduce migraine pain. Examples include metoclopramide (Reglan) and prochlorperazine (Compazine).
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